Article of footwear for gripping and kicking a ball

ABSTRACT

An article of footwear for use in playing soccer or other activities that require kicking and/or handling of a ball by a player&#39;s feet. The article of footwear has a ball control region comprised of a series of raised geometric protrusions which give the player grip and purchase on the ball. The ball control region is formed of three interrelated layers. Each layer is formed of a separate material with a distinct function. The outer layer is comprised of a material which deforms easily and acts to attract and slow the ball during handling by the player. The inner middle layer is comprised of a material that deforms but is harder and more resilient than the outer layer to enhance or over-emphasize a particular effect a player is trying to achieve with the ball. The core layer is comprised of a high tensile metal or plastic to provide a player with extra power and energy during power kicks. Further, the three layers of the ball control region act in unison to allow the player to achieve a variety of desired effects on the ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to athletic footwear.More particularly, this invention relates to athletic footwear used insoccer or other sports which require kicking and/or dribbling of a ballwith the wearer's feet.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Soccer shoes are used by a wearer to dribble, kick and pass aball. In each function, it is beneficial for the wearer to be able tohandle and control the ball easily and effectively with the soccer shoe.It is also beneficial to have a soccer shoe that enables the wearer toimpart spin and increase power to the ball as it is kicked. Further, asoccer shoe that improves a wearer's ability to control and kick theball as environmental conditions become adverse, such as when it iscold, wet and/or muddy, is crucial to a wearer's consistent performance.

[0005] In light of the above, numerous attempts have been made over theyears to incorporate into a soccer shoe some type of ball handlingsurface attached to the shoe upper that provides a wearer with bettergrip and purchase of a ball. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,321 to Brutting,rubber projections were inserted through holes in the toe portion andmedial and lateral vamp portions of the soccer shoe upper to form a ballcontrol surface. This arrangement attempted to address problems of priorshoes of this type i.e., unsatisfactory shape of projections,construction and method of securing the projections to the upper.Whereas the rubber projections of the shoe of U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,321are such as to perhaps improve ball contact and control, they may havethe adverse effect of dampening a wearer's power kick due to thecompressibility of the material contacting the ball.

[0006] The design of the soccer shoe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,112 toJohnston includes rubber formations applied over flat and/or concaveball contact areas. The effectiveness of the ball contact areas of U.S.Pat. No. 5,437,112 is premised on the “squaring-off” of the toe box sothat the shoe has increased surface area on the inner medial and lateralshoe vamp. The rubber formations on the ball control surface arecomprised of either thinner, flexible rubber to provide flexibility andfeel to the wearer for improved dribbling and ball control or of rubberof sufficient thickness to remain stable for power kicking. In order toget both effects in one shoe, it is necessary for a wearer to secure aharder, thicker kicking attachment to a “dribbling” shoe. Thus, thedesign of the shoe does not readily accommodate a soccer player's needfor a soccer shoe that will aid the wearer in dribbling and controllingthe ball as well as power kicking and passing the ball.

[0007] Accordingly, what is needed is a soccer shoe which incorporates aball control system that includes a means to provide adequate dribblingand controlling features to the wearer and means of applying orincreasing power or influence over the ball during kicking and passing.In addition, the ball control system must be integrated into the soccershoe in such a manner as to not impede a player's speed by being tooheavy or cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordancewith the purposes of the present invention as embodied and broadlydescribed herein, the article of footwear of the present inventioncomprises a ball control and influence system. The system of the presentinvention includes a ball control region that is comprised of threeinterrelated materials serving three different functions that isdisposed on an outer surface of a soccer shoe upper.

[0009] The soccer shoe of the present invention enables the wearer tocontrol the ball while dribbling and to achieve rapid control of theball upon receipt of a pass. The soccer shoe also provides means ofapplying or increasing power and influence over the ball while powerkicking and passing. Due to the relative movement between the ballcontrol region and the outer surface of the upper upon contact with aball and the composition of the ball control region, the soccer shoeallows the wearer to impart spin or other forms of induced movement ofthe ball so as to selectively vary the flight of the ball.

[0010] The soccer shoe of the present invention includes a ball controlregion attached to an outer surface of the upper. The ball controlregion is comprised of a series of raised geometric protrusionsconstructed of three layers of interrelated materials. The material ofeach layer is chosen to perform a specific function so that in unisonthe three layers allow a wearer to impart a variety of desired effectson the ball.

[0011] The outer layer is comprised of a soft and pliable rubber thatdeforms easily and provides grip when in contact with a ball. Thegripping nature of the outer layer acts like tentacles to both attractand slow down the ball when receiving it and then keeping it steady whenpreparing to shoot. The outer layer is tactile so that the wearer isable to feel the ball to effectively dribble and carry it down the fieldunder any environmental condition.

[0012] The inner middle layer is comprised of a harder, more resilientrubber compound than that of the outer layer. The inner middle layer inconjunction with the outer layer deforms around the outer surface of aball to enhance or over-emphasize the particular effect that the wearerwants to achieve with the ball. Thus, a wearer can more effectively makeshort passes and/or maneuver about other players by applying greaterforce between the ball control region and the ball surface and deformingthe inner middle layer of material.

[0013] The core layer is comprised of a very thin layer of high tensilemetal or plastic. This area provides a wearer with the means of applyingand/or increasing power and influence to the ball. A wearer is able toachieve an extra belt of power and effect when the three layers of theball control region are deformed in unison during hard contact with theball.

[0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, a soccer shoe ismade with a ball control surface that is comprised of a series of raisedgeometric protrusions of various sizes that are arranged on the soccershoe upper in a manner that allows the wearer to impart a variety ofdesired effects on the ball, such as more spin and/or power to the ball.The ball control region is divided into a throat region which surroundsthe laces of the soccer shoe upper and medial and lateral regions. Thegeometric protrusions of each region are formed from a single rubbercompound. However, the type of rubber compound used for the geometricprotrusions of the throat, medial and lateral regions may vary. Thus,the rubber material selected for the geometric protrusions of the throatregion of the upper may have a different density/hardness than therubber material selected for the geometric protrusions which cover thelateral and medial regions of the ball control surface.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention, as wellas the structure and operation of various embodiments of the presentinvention, are described in detail below with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and formpart of the specification, illustrate the present invention and togetherwith the description further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

[0017]FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of one embodiment of an article offootwear in accordance with the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a geometric protrusion of FIG. 1.

[0019]FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG.2.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a series of geometric protrusions ofFIG. 1.

[0021]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG.3.

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a series of geometricprotrusions of FIG. 1 in a relaxed state.

[0023]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a series of geometricprotrusions of FIG. 1 wherein an outer layer is deformed under softcontact with a ball.

[0024]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a series of geometricprotrusions of FIG. 1 wherein an outer layer and an inner middle layerare deformed under hard contact with a ball.

[0025]FIG. 7 is a medial side view of a second embodiment of an articleof footwear in accordance with the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 8 is a lateral side view of the article of footwear of FIG.7.

[0027]FIG. 9 is a top view of the article of footwear of FIG. 7.

[0028]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the ball control region of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now describedwith reference to the figures where like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Also in the figures, theleft most digit of each reference number corresponds to the figure inwhich the reference number is first used. While specific configurationsand arrangements are discussed, it should be understood that this isdone for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevantart will recognize that other configurations and arrangements can beused without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Itwill be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that thisinvention can also be employed in a variety of other applications.

[0030] A lateral side view of soccer shoe 100 in accordance with thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1. Soccer shoe 100 has upper 102 andsole 104 provided with studs 106. Upper 102 may be made of leather. Inanother embodiment of the present invention, upper 102 may be made ofany suitable synthetic material, including a combination of fabric andplastic. Sole 104 and studs 106 are integrally formed of plastic in aninjection molding process. In another embodiment, sole 104 and studs 106may be formed separately and attached one to the other in any meansapparent to a person skilled in the relevant art given the presentdescription and application.

[0031] Ball control region 108 is attached to upper 102 and is comprisedof a series of geometric protrusion 110 formed in rows. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, ball control region 108 may beformed integrally with upper 102. Each geometric protrusion 110 isgenerally pyramidal and of substantially equal dimensions. The geometryand size of geometric protrusion 110 provides multidirectionalperformance for the wearer. Ball control region 108 wraps around theouter surface of upper 102 below fastening portion 112 such that a ballmay be controlled about this entire region. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, geometric protrusions may be of various shapes anddimensions and formed about the ball control region in any suitablearrangement in keeping with the present description and application.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 3 and 4, ball control region 108 may beformed of three distinct and interrelated layers. Outer layer 202 isformed of a soft and pliable rubber that deforms easily and has theproperty of acting like tentacles to both attract and slow the ball downwhen receiving it and then keeping it steady when preparing to shoot.(It is very desirable for accuracy of the kick that the ball stays onthe foot for as long as possible, the outer layer has properties to makethis possible.) One preferred material is a rubber compound having aShore hardness of between 60A and 64A. Inner middle layer 204 is formedof a much harder and more resilient rubber compound than outer layer202. One suitable material is a rubber compound having a Shore hardnessof between 49A and 53A. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, inner middle layer204 acts in conjunction with outer layer 202 to deform around thesurface of ball 502 to enhance or over-emphasize the particular effectthat the wearer wants to put on the ball. Core layer 206 is formed of avery thin high tensile metal or plastic. Core layer 206 creates the realenergy and resiliency of ball control region 108 that during a kickgives a belt of extra power and effect while imparting spin on the ball.

[0033] Although the above-described embodiment suggests the use of threeseparate materials for geometric protrusions 110, it may be possible touse a single material with a density that varies from a less dense outerregion to a denser inner region. It is also envisioned that for someapplications, two materials may be used to accomplish some of the samegoals as the three layer geometric protrusion of ball control region108. Similarly, the ball control region can be tailored for particularfunctionality by utilizing a fourth material or more.

[0034]FIGS. 7 through 10 show an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention. Soccer shoe 700 has upper 702 and sole 704 provided withstuds 706. Ball control surface 708 is attached to an outer surface ofupper 702 and is comprised of geometric protrusions 710 that aregenerally conical. Conical protrusions 710 vary in height fromapproximately 3 mm to 7 mm and in base diameter from approximately 3 mmto 6 mm.

[0035] Ball control surface 708 is arranged such that it defines ballpockets 712 on the outer surface of upper 702. Shorter conicalprotrusions 710 are arranged directly adjacent ball pockets 712 withtaller conical protrusions 710 positioned in step fashion about ballcontrol surface 708 such that a curved surface of the ball isaccommodated within ball pockets 712. In a further embodiment of thepresent invention, the shorter conical protrusions about the ballpockets are made from a rubber compound that is harder than the rubbercompound used to form the taller conical protrusions on the remainder ofthe ball control surface.

[0036] Conical protrusions 710 of ball control surface 708 are eachformed of a single rubber compound. However, the properties of therubber compound used to produce the conical protrusions varies accordingto which region of ball control surface 708 the conical protrusions areto be placed on soccer shoe upper 702. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, ballcontrol surface 708 is comprised of a throat region 714, a medial region716 and a lateral region 718, wherein the rubber compound used to formthe conical protrusions thereon varies from region to region.Particularly, the rubber used for the “U-shaped” throat region 714 ofball control surface 708 is of a harder rubber material, such as PGM 44with a Shore hardness of 50 A, to allow the wearer to increase the powerand influence over the ball when the ball is kicked from within thisregion of the shoe. In contrast, medial and lateral regions 716 and 718of ball control surface 708 are made of a softer rubber material, suchas PGM 50 with a Shore hardness of 62 A, which slightly deforms aroundthe surface of a ball to allow the wearer to enhance or over-emphasizethe particular effect that the wearer wants to achieve with the ball, bykeeping the ball on the wearer's foot longer.

[0037] Ball control region 108 may also be removable from the upper toallow ball control regions having different characteristics to beinterchanged on a single upper. For example, the ball control regioncould be attached with snaps, a hook and pile fastener or in any otherconvenient manner. Individual geometric protrusions might also bereplaceable so that an individual soccer player may tailor his/her ballcontrol region to suit his/her individual needs or desires.

[0038] While various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example, and not limitation. It will be apparent to personsskilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail canbe made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus the present invention should not be limited by any ofthe above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only inaccordance with the following claims and their equivalents. All citedpatent documents and publications in the above description areincorporated herein by reference.

What is claimed is:
 1. An article of footwear to provide grip andpurchase on a ball comprising: a sole; an upper disposed on said soleand having an outer surface; and a ball control region attached to saidouter surface of said upper comprised of a plurality of interrelatedlayers, wherein one of said layers includes a material of a differenthardness than another of said layers.
 2. The article of footwear ofclaim 1, wherein said ball control region covers a substantial portionof said upper.
 3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said ballcontrol region comprises a series of geometric protrusions.
 4. Thearticle of footwear of claim 3, wherein the geometric protrusions aregenerally conical.
 5. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein thegeometric protrusions are generally pyramidal.
 6. The article offootwear of claim 5, wherein each of the pyramidal geometric protrusionsare of substantially equal dimensions.
 7. The article of footwear ofclaim 4, wherein the conical geometric protrusions are of varyingdimension.
 8. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the pyramidalgeometric protrusions are spaced equidistant apart and formed in rows.9. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofinterrelated layers of said ball control region further comprises: anouter layer that contacts the ball; a core layer that is disposed onsaid outer surface of the upper; and an inner middle layer sandwichedbetween said outer layer and said core layer.
 10. The article offootwear of claim 9, wherein said outer layer comprises a soft rubberthat deforms easily, said core layer comprises a high tensile metal orplastic, and said inner middle layer comprises a harder rubber than saidouter layer.
 11. An article of footwear to provide grip and purchase ona ball comprising: a sole; an upper disposed on said sole and having anouter surface; and a ball control surface attached to said outer surfaceof said upper comprised of a throat region, a medial region and alateral region, wherein one of said throat, medial or lateral regionsincludes a material of a different hardness than another of saidregions.
 12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein said ballcontrol surface covers a substantial portion of said upper.
 13. Thearticle of footwear of claim 11, wherein said ball control surfacecomprises a series of geometric protrusions arranged to form a pluralityof ball pockets.
 14. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein saidgeometric protrusions are generally conical.
 15. The article of footwearof claim 14, wherein said conical geometric protrusions are of varyingdimension such that said conical geometric protrusions which areadjacent said ball pockets are smaller in area than said conicalgeometric protrusions about a remainder of said ball control surface.16. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein said ball controlsurface comprises a series of geometric protrusions.
 17. The article offootwear of claim, 16, wherein said geometric protrusions in said throatregion are formed from rubber with a Shore hardness of about 50 A . 18.The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein said geometric protrusionsin said medial and lateral regions are formed of rubber with a Shorehardness of about 62 A.